Page 10 of Rage & Paradise
Coca let me know, when she gave me the rundown on all the members here, that this man was the end all be all when it came to final decisions.
Vado, the president of the Puerto Rico chapter of the Royal Bastards MC, and definitely not the one I want to see me fussing with my long-lost stepbrother.
I don’t wait for Oro to reply. Instead, I speak up for myself. “I’ve got no problem. Oro…” The name sounds strange coming out of my mouth. The last thing I want to do is disrespect him, so I guess I better learn to live with it. “And I haven’t seen each other in a very long time. I’m sure it’s just a shock.”
“Nah, I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen all of Oro’s faces. That shit doesn’t look like his shocked face,” one of the other bikers says. I glance at his vest and see the name Digger.
Coca told me he’d be the first one to either give me the most problems or try to get in my pants. Looks like he’s going the give me problems route.
“Look, guys, I’m just here for a job. I’m not going to...” I start, but Oro takes a big step forward, separating himself from the pack of men still relaxing behind him.
“The fuck you are. We don’t got shit for you here.”
This is getting bad and fast.
He doesn’t understand, and based on how he’s talking to me, I’m not sure he’d even care if I explained it to him.
Still, I have to try.
Lowering my voice, I capture Oro’s furious gaze. “Can we talk for a second outside?” Without waiting for him to answer, I turn on my heel but stop when I don’t hear him following behind.
His head is turned as if he’s about to ask one of the other members to come with him.
“Solo tú.” I wave him over before making my way to the front door of the clubhouse and waiting for him right outside.
He pushes open the door so hard I have to jump back just to make sure I don’t get hit.
There’s no apology.
“Oro, me sabes, you know I wouldn’t be here looking for a job at a high-end brothel. This is absolutely the last place I want to be, and if I would’ve known that you were here, I most definitely wouldn’t have shown up. It doesn’t change the fact that this is the very last place I can go for a job.”
“Qué dices? You mean to tell me you somehow have fallen out of grace? You don’t have golden eggs and diamonds shooting out your ass anymore?”
I’m shocked by his vulgarity.
The Santiago I knew years ago was a quiet, sweet boy. A little moody sometimes, but there was never any disrespect.
I guess his personality changed with his name.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was never anyone’s golden child.” I sniff and lift my head, not wanting to delve any deeper into the trauma that is my past.
“Estrella, you’re right, I do know you. I don’t know what your game is, but you’re not going to play that shit here.” He turns like he’s about to walk back into the clubhouse.
The walls of my world are closing in around me fast.
Seda is really my last chance. My last chance to stay on the right path, to do what’s right, and not follow in my father’s footsteps.
“Santi!” I call for him, using the nickname I had for him when we lived together briefly.
“Carajo, no me llames así! That’s not my name anymore. I stopped being Santiago the day you convinced our parents to put me out of the house.” He surges back in my direction, and I flinch slightly. He’s never hit me before, but there’s always the first time. “You destroyed my fucking life. Took everything away from me just because you could. Now you want mercy? You want my help? Joder, no.”
He tries to turn again, but I grab onto his arm, gripping with all my strength. I need him.
“Por favor, Oro. No hagas esto. I’m begging you. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. You’ll never have to see me around. I’m desperate. I have nothing. No job. No money. No family. I’m a few days from living on the street. Please.” The tears prick my eyes, and when I look back up at him, they fall.
There is no sympathy in his gaze. The sweet boy I knew has hardened.
He opens his mouth to say something but stops himself. He yanks his arm away and takes a step back, looking me up and down.
